Alexander Skarsgard Calls 'True Blood' Gay Sex Scenes 'Liberating'

By

On Top Magazine Staff

|
July 02, 2016

Alexander Skarsgard, who plays Tarzan
in The Legend of Tarzan, has described the gay sex scenes on
True Blood as one of “the most profound experiences ever.”

The 39-year-old Skarsgard is best known
for playing vampire Eric Northman on the HBO hit series. Alan Ball,
the show's creator, has previously said that most vampires are
bisexual, which led to a range of sexual orientations on the drama.

In an interview with Michigan gay
weekly PrideSource to promote Friday's opening of Tarzan,
Skarsgard was asked how his True Blood character influenced
the way he views sexuality.

“It was just one of the most profound
experiences ever,” he
answered. “Just liberating. Even though there's shit loads of
nudity on the show, it never felt gratuitous. I think that's when,
as an actor, you feel uncomfortable, if you're standing there with
your clothes off and you're not quite sure why.”

“What tips do you have for other
straight men who are doing gay sex scenes?” he was asked.

“You just have to embrace it,”
Skarsgard replied. “I had two gay sex scenes on the show. They're
incredible scenes. I loved this scene and I remember talking to Theo
(Alexander), who played the Greek lover of Russell Edgington
(portrayed by out actor Denis O'Hare), and that was the first gay sex
scene I had on True Blood. He's also a straight guy and he was
nervous; he had never kissed a guy before. I just said, 'Look at the
scene. It's this nemesis and he comes in and then it gets seductive
and you think they're gonna make love and it gets into that and then
suddenly my character stabs him in the back and he explodes. In two
minutes, look at this emotional rollercoaster we're taking the
audience on. If we commit to this, it's going to be an amazing scene
and we're going to be very happy with it forever. If we hold back,
that's when it gets awkward.'”

“Same thing shooting the other scene
with Ryan (Kwanten) – we knew that it was coming because we shot a
scene the previous year where I hypnotize him and say, like, 'When
you dream, dream sweet dreams of me.' … We knew it was coming. You
have to think of the scene and how it fits in and hopefully be
excited about the scene. Then, just dive in,” he added.